Practice golf-ball device



Jan. 29, 1929. 1,700,224

o. A. HENDERsl-:N .4

PACTICE GOLF BALL DEVICE yFiled April 25, 1928 INVENToR.

lBY i V l A TORNEYS. I

Patented Jan. 29, 1929.

UNITED STATES OTTO A. HENDERSEN, OF RACINE, WISCONSIN.

PRACTICE GOLF-BALL DEVICE.

Application filed April 25, 1928. Serial No. 272,698.

This invention relates to improvements in practice golf ball devices.

It is the primary object of the present invention to provide a practice device particularly useful out-of-doors for golfers in per fecting their game.

A further obj ect of the invention is to provide in a practice golf ball device, an anchoring member, a ball, and an elongated lo yieldable connection or tether between the ball and the anchor, arranged so that the ball may be struck as in actual play and be limited in its flight by the yieldable connect-ion.

A further object of the invention is to pro- .15 vide a device of the class described which is readily portable and which may be set up very easily and quickly.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the class described which '72e defines the flight of the ball and limits the projection of the same, enabling the player to determine the correctness and accuracy of the hit.

A further object ofthe invention is to provide a practice golf ball device of the class described which is especially safe in its use in that the danger of breakage is minimized and in which any of the constituent parts are susceptible of ready replacement.

A further object of the invention is to provide a practice golf ball device which is of very simple construction, is strong and durable, is inexpensive to manufacture, kis efficient in its operation, and is well adapted for the purposes described.

1With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists of the improved practice golf ball device and its parts and combinations as set forth in the claims, and all 4o equivalents thereof.

In the accompanying drawing in which the same reference characters indicate, the same parts in all of the views:

Fig. 1 is a view showing the device in position for use;

' Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary detail sectional view showing a portion of the anchoring member and the inner end portions of the parts making up the yieldable connection or tether;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the ball showing the manner in which the outer end portion of the tether is connected thereto-; and

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of Fig. 2.

taken on line 4-4 Referring now more particularly to the drawing, 1t will appear that the numeral 5 indicates an anchoring member having an elongated screw-threaded shank 6 with a head portion 7 which is externally threaded, as at 8, and having therein, below the threaded portion, a transverse bore 9, through which may be removably extended an elongated operating rod or handle 10. In practice, the handle is grasped and the shank portion 6 is screwe into the ground to about the depth shown in Fig. 1, leaving exposed the head portion 7.

Adapted to be removably threaded onto the head portion is a tubular socket or cap member 11. The lower portion of the bore of said member 11 is enlarged and threaded, as at 12, and an annular internal shoulder 13 is formed.

An annular connecting clip 14, shaped as shown in Fig. 4, is mounted on the top of the head portion 7, and the lower looped end portion 15 of an elongated inner spring member 16 is detachably connected to the midportion of said connecting clip. The lower iared portion of an intermediate spring member 17 is mounted on the outer portion of said clip and mounted on the flared portion of the member 17 is the lower flared end portion of an outer spring member 18, As shown in Fig. 2, said last mentioned flared end portions lodge under the annular shoulder 13 of the cap member and iny this way the flared end portions of the spring members 17 and 18, as well as the connecting clip 14 are removably clamped between 'said shoulder 13 of the cap member and the top of head portion 7. Obviously, if the anchor member be unscrewed from the cap member,said spring members may be withdrawn through the cap member. Y

Both end portions of the elongated inner spring member are wound back forming double thicknesses for strength, as indicated at 16 and 16". As shown in Fig. 1, the rewound portion 16 is of a considerable length, being greater than the entire length of the intermediate spring member 17. The entire length of the spring member 16 is approximately five times that of the intermedi` ate spring member 17, and the latter is about twice the length of the outer spring member 18 and all of said spring members are of graduated gauges of tempered wire. vAll three of said spring members, connected as shown, form a yielding, elongated connecting member or tether, and the reinforce- `chain 19 is connected with the intermediate projecting portion of said staple.

In use, the anchoring member may be easily and securely extended into the ground Withlittle exertion, and the ball is positioned at a distance therefrom, Wherever convenient. The ball is struck in the usual manner, andtalres a limited course, being rained by the ryieldable tether Which absorbs the shocks. The manner in which the ball carries, and its course, Willindicate the correctness of the hit.

Fromtheforegoing description, it will be seen that the improved practice golf ball de: vice is of simple and novel construction. and is Well adaptedfor the purposes set forth.

What is claimed as thev invention is l. Apractice golf ball device, comprising a golf'ball, a ground penetrating anchoring member and an elongated tether between said ball and said anchoring member and detachably connected tothe latter, said tether being of a retractile spring throughout its entire length.

2. .A practice golf ball device, comprising a golf ball, an achoring member having a screrv-threaded shank portion and a removable cap, and ,an elongated spring tether between the ball andsaid anchoring member and detachably engaged by said cap.

3. A practice golf ball device, comprising a golf ball, an-anchoring member, a spring' tether secured at its outer'end portion to the ball and at its inner end portion to the anchoring member, and a yieldable reinforcing` member surrounding theinner end portion of the tether.

t. A practice .golf ball device, comprising a golf ball, an anchoring member, a spring tether secured at its outer end portion to the lball and at its inner end portion to the anchoring member, and a yieldable reinforcing member surrounding the inner end portion of the tether, the inner end portion of said tether and said reinforcing member being detachably secured tosaid anchoring` member.

5. A practice golf ball device, comprising a `golf ball, an anchoring member, a spring tether betweenrsaid ball and said anchoring member, a. yieldable reinforcing member surrounding a. portion of the tether adjacent said anchoring member, and a removable cap detachably clamping the tether and the reinforcing member to said anchoring member.

6. A practice golf ball device, comprising a golf ball, an anchoring member, a spring tether secured at its outer end portion to the ball and at its inner end portion to the anchoring member, and a plurality of yieldable reinforcing members surrounding the inner end portion of the tether.

7. A practice golf ball device, comprising a golf ball, an anchoring member, a spring tether secured at its outer end portion to the ball and atits inner end portion to the anchoring member, and a plurality of yieldable reinforcing members surrounding the inner end ortion of the tether, said reinforcing mem iers and said tether being graduated as to thickness and length.

. 8. A practice golf ball device, comprising a golf ball, a barbed staple having its shanks extended into said ball, anelongated spring tether secured at its outer end portion to the medial portion of sai-d staple, and an anchoring member secured to the -inner end portion of `said tether.

9. A practicegolf ball device, comprising an anchoring member having a shank portion and ahead, a tubular cap member removably mounted on said head,an elongated tether member, an intermediate yielda-ble reinforcing member surrounding the inner end por tion of said tether, an outer yieldable reinforcing member off less length thanrsaid intermediate member and surroundinga portion of the same, the inner end portions of the tether and both reinforcing membersbeing clamped between said head andsaid cap member, and a golf ball securedto theouter end portion of said tether member.

In testimony whereof, I aiiix my signature.

OTTO A. HENDERSEN. 

